BILL ANALYSIS
By: Chavez
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
As a part of terrorism readiness, the medical community must be adequately prepared to quickly mobilize health care professionals into the proper areas in the event of a terrorist act or natural disaster. Currently, in Texas, there is no uniform method of identification of medical professionals, which is necessary to authorize those persons to cross police barricades and provide assistance in emergency situations. To identify medical practitioners, House Bill 986 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to designate a healthcare professional information field on Texas driver's licenses.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 986 amends the Transportation Code to provide that on the request of a health care practitioner and provision of satisfactory proof of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds, the department must issue a personal identification certificate or driver's license including a statement of the type of health care practitioner license the person holds. The bill requires the application for an original driver's license to provide an opportunity for the applicant to request a license reflecting the applicant's health care practitioner's licensure and to indicate what type of license the applicant holds.
The bill defines a health care practitioner by reference to Section 91.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
The bill provides that this Act applies only to persons applying for an original or renewal driver's license or personal identification certificate on or after the effective date.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005